The short Uganda gorilla trekking safari takes a long drive from Entebbe to spend 4 nights in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
5 DAYS
USD $2,135
Type
Tailor-made
Activity
Physical
Overview
- Marvel at southwestern Uganda’s rugged landscape views from the back of a 4x4 safari truck on a 10-hour drive across the country.
- Spend three nights at the idyllic Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, nestled on a ridge among trees and beautiful gardens with sweeping views over Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the rugged rift valley region, and the entire Virunga Volcanos chain. The bush lodge has excellent guest services and a tasty gourmet selection.
- Walk to the visitor centre five minutes away to start your Uganda gorilla trekking challenge in the jungle below. You will spend one precious hour observing the basic but calm behaviours of the mountain gorillas with an expert tracker guide.
- Meet the native Batwa forest people, listen to their tales, dance to their tunes, or take a dug-out canoe ride across Lake Mutanda. Also, walk through remote villages and terraced gardens for an authentic African off-the-beaten-path experience.
Price includes/excludes
- Local English-speaking guides/driver
- Tourist Visa (apply online at visas.immigration.go.ug)
- Accommodation & Meals as indicated in itinerary
- Trekking permit & park fees (worth USD 745 pp)
- Land transport in 4x4 safari truck with fuel
- Entebbe Airport transfers
- Activities & excursions as shown in itinerary
- Extra meals, snacks, gratuities, souvenirs, service tips
- AMREF evacuation cover, and government taxes
- Travel insurance
Detailed Itinerary
The short Uganda gorilla trekking safari is for adventurers who have less time on holiday or those connecting their Africa safari from the vibrant wildlife destinations like Masai Mara, Serengeti or Kruger in South Africa. The trip is a perfect tailor-made package for travellers who enjoy country road drives and forest hiking experiences.
It starts in Entebbe and, using a custom four-by-four safari truck, drives you across the southwestern Tuscan-like landscape to a serene forest lodge on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Here, you'll spend the next three nights in a forest cottage with enchanting views over the steamy forest canopy and the rift valley rugged region. On the second day, expert trackers will guide you into the jungle to find a mountain gorilla family. You'll spend a once-in-a-lifetime electrifying hour silently observing the mountain gorillas live their forest lives.
You'll also explore the rugged rural region on foot, with immersive walks through communities and terraced gardens. Engage with the Batwa native community on a forest trail, showcasing their ancient cultures, drama, hunting and survival skills when they occupied the gorilla-filled jungles.
Our driver will pick you up from Entebbe International Airport (15 minutes) and check you in at your hotel within Entebbe. You'll meet with your gorilla trekking safari trip specialist for a briefing just before dinner.
Otherwise, we have optional activities around Entebbe to keep you active when you arrive early in the day. For example, birding around the botanical gardens, taking a walk to the markets, shopping, or a boat ride to Mabamba swamps to catch sight of the monstrous historical shoebill and hundreds of other rare African endemics.
You'll stay at: Boutique Hotel Number 5 (Luxury) or Papyrus Guesthouse (Comfortable)
Your private driver guide for the entire journey will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning to fit the road by 6:30 am. The long drive from Entebbe to Kisoro takes about 9 hours on a smoothly surfaced road. The last leg on a dirt road takes about one and a half hours through some of the most spellbound landscape views up to the lodge.
You'll stop for lunch en route at the traditional drum-making artists, the equator for Instagram moments. The driver will stop anywhere you hope to capture a great photography moment.
Staying at: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Your butler will ensure you are up and about by 7:00 am with a packed lunch, the right trekking gear, drinking water, and a walking stick. The Uganda gorilla trekking excursion briefing starts at 7:30 am at the visitor's centre.
8:00 am: Your tracking guide and two gun-bearing rangers will lead you and six other tourists into the rainforest to find a habituated gorilla group. Time spent tracking the gorillas is relative, but once you find them, you can observe them for about an hour at a 10 meters distance. Alternatively, you can observe the gorillas for about four hours if you book a gorilla habituation pass.
Your time in the forest can not be pre-determined as every day differs from the previous. However, most trekkers are out of the jungle by 2:00 pm with a satisfactory grin.
We recommend a massage at the lodge spa when you return and a relaxing evening.
Staying at: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner.
The fourth day of this short Uganda gorilla trekking safari has some optional activities to keep you active. Otherwise, you can chill at your forest cottage for a relaxing holiday.
- Stay back at the lodge and relax, read a book, join a cooking class or take a walk around the property and talk to some locals.
- Go back into the mysterious jungle to meet with the gorillas for a second time. Maybe join the rangers for the habituation experience that gives you more time with the gorillas. But remember, you must have pre-booked the trekking permit.
- Drive down to Lake Mutanda for a traditional dug-out canoeing experience with some of the most enchanting views on the volcano lake.
- Forest walk either on a Batwa Forest Trail or the Circular Trail through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; this time not for gorillas but everything else ethereal about the jungle.
- Go on a sundowner picnic on top of the world with 360-degree spellbinding views of the hilly landscapes. It's a walking distance from the lodge.
Staying at: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
After breakfast, lazily get your bags and take another rural drive down the volcanic mountains through Kabale, Mbara cities to Entebbe. Here, you can freshen up for your late flight or stay another night in the lakeshore town.
In Entebbe, you can use our facilities at Papyrus guest house to freshen up for your international flight back home. Accommodation for this day is not included, though. But we can book you a room at your advice.
Accommodation (Optional): Papyrus Guesthouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch (packed).
Local experts

Lydia

Cathy
Our safari specialists work with customers to prepare a journey that will deliver the best subjective experience. We understand that most guests will be travelling to unfamiliar places and dealing with mind-boggling logistics that require skilful guidance from local experts. These local safari specialists will help you plan this gorilla safari in your own way!